A time for giving thanksThanksgiving became an official national celebration when Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a day of “Thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwells in the heavens.” It had previously been observed, and it is thought to have originated with the Pilgrims after their first harvest in the New World. It is with the above in mind that the following text seems especially relevant. “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you ha...

Church Briefs (Oct. 31, 2014)Trunk or Treat at All Saints A costume contest, bingo and children’s games will begin at 5:30 p.m. today at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 501 S. Phoenix, Russellville. Other events include a chili cook-off at 5 p.m. followed by a meal of hot dogs and chili. “Trick or Treat the Trunks” starts on the church parking lot at 6:30 p.m., with a hayride to follow. All are welcome. For further information, call the church office at (479) 968-3622. Wood...

The fear of the LordHalloween is almost upon us. Christians have many varied reactions to this event. Some are appalled that a pagan ritual has been made mainstream and is now the second biggest money-making holiday in America. Others want to “Christianize” the season by focusing on the Christian roots of “All Saints’ Day” on Nov. 1. Many don’t want to celebrate the scary parts of the holiday, but instead reinvent it as a harvest celebration. Most do agree that t...

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Brian Heinen / The Christian & Missionary Alliance Church of RussellvilleThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Does doubt hinder your prayers?James 1:6 says that you must ask in faith without any doubting, “for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.” Jesus said in Matthew 17:20: “if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, remove hence to yonder place; and it shall be removed; and nothing shall be impossible unto you." Jesus made this comment to the disciples after they were unable to cast out a demonic spiri...

Church Briefs (Oct. 24, 2014)Ola/Plainview UMC news Ola United Methodist Church will host a fellowship and game night at 6 p.m. today. Everyone is invited to come out, bring a bag of chips and enjoy the showing of “Esther.” Tuesday Friends will be held at noon Tuesday at Ola UMC. Hand Bell Choir practice will be held at 5 p.m. Wednesday at Plainview UMC. All who want to learn or play are invited. Small Group Bible Meeting will be held at noon Friday at the Ola UMC fellows...

Christian Psychological Resources celebrates 20 yearsChristian Psychological Resources (CPR) recently completed 20 years of service in Russellville. CPR was established Sept. 7, 1994, by Dr. Don Ott to provide professional mental healthcare with Christian compassion. Johniece Ott, Dr. Ott’s wife of 44 years, has served as office manager since 2007. Dr. Ott is an ordained evangelist and licensed psychologist. He earned the Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree in clinical psychology from Biola Uni...

Genuine Christianity?As kids, many of us had grand dreams of what we would accomplish or what we would be when we grew up. Maybe a star athlete, a great musician or make lots and lots of money of money. Being rich and buying a huge house with a Ferrari would be cool! For me, I was convinced that I was going to be one of the best athletes ever. I was not alone. Many of my boyhood friends thought the same thing. We would frequently pretend time was running out in th...

Church Briefs (Oct. 17, 2014)Gospel Lighthouse singing, potluck dinner Gospel Lighthouse Pentecostal Church will host a gospel singing and potluck dinner at 7 p.m. today. To reach the church, travel seven miles north of Dover on State Highway 7, turn left on State Highway 164, travel six miles west, and the church will be on the left. Pastors Greg and Donna Proctor invite everyone to attend. All Saints Rummage Sale All Saints Episcopal Church will host a church rummage sa...

Church Briefs (Oct. 10, 2014)Falling Water squirrel fry Falling Water Church will host a squirrel fry on Saturday. Special singing will begin at 1 p.m. and everyone is invited to bring their instruments to play and sing. A potluck will begin at 4, and guest speaker Bro. Clinton Reddell will speak at 7. Wild Beast Feast at Happy Valley Church Celebrate one of the rites of manhood and the return of hunting season at the annual Wild Beast Feast at Happy Valley Assembly of Go...

Displaying loveLove is a popular word these days, but I suspect many people have no idea what love really is. Most of the time, what I see around me is people engaging in one of two things, neither of which is love. It seems that many people have confused lust for love. The second mistaken view of love is simply allowing others to do anything they please without calling them to account. This is observed very often in family relationships. Neither of these ar...

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Pastor Steve EllisonThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

What is Man?As noted in an earlier article, “what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?” (Psalm 8:4). Since he seems so inconsequential when set over against the vast reaches of the universe. But as seemingly singled out for special attention. This is a question that surfaces time and again, as I elaborated in “Man: The Perennial Question.” As if to suggest that there is more involved that may readily come to mind on on...

Church Briefs (Oct. 3, 2014)First United Methodist Church pumpkin patch First United Methodist Church of Russellville will open its pumpkin patch from Oct. 4-31. The pumpkin patch is located at 304 S. Commerce Ave. and is open from noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Proceeds benefit the children's ministry. For more information, contact Becky Smith or Lacy Dicks at (479) 968-1232. First Assembly of God rummage sale The Wom...

Local priest removed for sexual misconductFather James Melnick was relieved of his responsibilities as pastor of St. Augustine Church in Dardanelle, St. Andrew Church in Danville and associate pastor for Hispanic Ministry at St. John Church in Russellville for sexual misconduct. He is currently suspended from active ministry by the Arkansas Diocese. Bishop Anthony Taylor, Roman Catholic Bishop of Little Rock, told area churches on Saturday and Sunday he received credible allegations o...

Exercise heavenly wisdomI’ve been thinking about wisdom a lot lately. Perhaps that’s because I’ve been praying for God to give me wisdom in how to love my family well and lead those I work with. It would be great if God would just make me as wise as Solomon in the Old Testament, but I’m still waiting on that. I recently read in the New Testament letter James (3:13-18) that there are two kinds of wisdom: earthly and heavenly. This struck me as odd. I always thought th...

Church Briefs (Sept. 26, 2014)St. John Catholic Harvest Fest Bazaar St. John Catholic Church will host its annual Harvest Fest Bazaar and dinner from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday. The event begins at noon with lunch featuring tamales, papusas, hot dogs and other fair foods along with games, a dunking booth, live entertainment, a silent auction and a $5,000 giveaway. A barbecue pork or chicken dinner will be held from 4:30-7 p.m. and will include slaw, beans, drinks and dessert....

Let God minister to youI want to read from John 13:8, “Peter saith unto him, ‘Thou shalt never wash my feet.’ Jesus answered him, ‘If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.’” Peter’s refusal to let Jesus wash his feet came from a knowledge that he was totally unworthy to have the sinless Son of God serve him as a common servant would. Peter was correct in his assessment of his relative worth, but what he missed was that God doesn’t minister to us because of our...

Church Briefs (Sept. 19, 2014)Ola, Plainview UMC news A small group bible meeting will be held at noon today at the Plainview United Methodist Church fellowship hall. Hand bell choir practice will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday. All who want to learn to play are invited to attend and do not have to be a member of the church to participate. Tuesday friends will be held at noon Tuesday with a potluck lunch at Ola United Methodist Church. A potluck and game night will begin at 5 ...

Church group makes blankets for cancer patientsMary Evans, Emma Jernigan and Tiffany Brandon love sharing their talents to help others. Recently, they donated dozens of beautifully crafted fleece tie-blankets to Saint Mary’s Cancer Center to benefit cancer patients undergoing radiation and chemotherapy treatment. Mary, daughter of James and Donna Evans, loves making the fleece blankets. “It makes me feel good to be able to help others,” she said. Emma Jernigan, daughter of Gary and Sue Ann...

Churches, businesses unite at Back to School BashLast week’s lectionary text had one of those familiar passages that many church folk like to refer to, it’s from Matthew 18:20. “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I’m there with them.” On Aug. 3, several area churches came together along with some community partners and downtown merchants to host our second Back to School Bash. This year we once again where able to distribute school supplies donated through Stuff the Bus and area...